Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Assignment Three: Parts I & II

This story has been viewed as an allegory such as Aesop Fables where there is a clear relationship between a person, place, or object and a particular meaning—for example, a murky swamp equals entrapment.

A more sophisticated form of allegory is less definite, ambiguous as to what the person, place, or object means. The swamp becomes a source of what—does the swamp become symbolic imagery, suggesting something to you?

Consider the following:

1. Hawthorne’s ancestors were prominent Puritan Calvinists, believing in the depravity within all humankind and predestination.

2. Hawthorne wished to disavow their beliefs and to show the danger of these religious attitudes as they affected the individual, family, and society.

Goodman Brown is affected by his religious beliefs. He is aware of his sinful nature and that all humans have inherited sin because of the “Fall.” He believes evildoers or followers of the devil should not be in his midst; he must avoid all contact with them.

The story is a journey into the deep woods that suggest the unknown and possible danger. He motivated to leave his wife and family—a safe haven. Why? Do many of us travel into an insecure world that has potential dangers? What can sustain us when we are being exposed to these dangers? Is it Faith in ourselves, others to help us, and a source of strength in God?

The forest is full of ominous things, including the guide with the snakelike rod/cane. The imagery increases the mood and atmosphere of the story. As the journey continues to the Satanic religious service and as Young Goodman Brown sees members of his community and church arriving, he begins to become agitated, culminating with the appearance of his wife Faith and the floating of the innocent pink ribbons.

What has happened?

1. Does he lose the Faith that sustains? Why? What happens as a result of his loss of Faith? How does he react to his wife and family and community? What does his life become?

2. How do you think Hawthorne viewed this man’s decision to isolate?

3. Does his desire to live isolated an effect of his religious beliefs?

4. Would you agree that not all societies have sane guiding principles? According to Hawthorne did these Calvinist Puritan societies support sane guiding principles?

5. What happens to individuals and families in insane societies?

6. Write your response and interpretation of the story, expressing your opinion about its meaning, supported by details from the text.

Questions 1-6 are Assignment 3: Part I.

Barn Burning by William Faulkner

This is a post civil war story, the location is the rural south prior to the beginning of the twentieth century. Blacks were free, plantation owners had the land but limited capital and hired workers, and there were independent white and black small farmers who owned their land. Abner Snopes is poor and white and uneducated formally; he supports the family by being hired by the landowners to cultivate and harvest crops. He is a sharecropper who is provided with a shack and essentials from the community store; when the harvest is in, there is a tally of what he owes the farmer, and a settlement is made. Frequently, for various reasons, they have to move to another farm.

1. Describe Abner, his physical appearance, his mannerisms, his temperament, and his role as father. You must refer to specific references in the text.

2. Who are the other members of the family with a brief characterization of each one?

3. The opening scene exposes the conflict in the story. Faulkner uses stream of consciousness to let us know what is going on within Sarty who is very young and illiterate. Describe what Sarty is so concerned about during the trial—use references from text.

4. Why did Abner burn the barn? What motivates him to respond to what he feels has been insulting to him?

5. Look at Sarty’s description of the deSpain residence. How does he view this new farm?

6. What insults Abner? What does he plan to do?

7. Describe the moral conflict in Sarty— blood and right and wrong.

8. Describe the ending scene of the story. What does it suggest Sarty’ s future to be? Use the text to support.

9. How does this story relate to our theme of family?

Questions 1-9 are Assignment 3: Part II.